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Decode Your License

by Tetranitrate on October 19, 2006

Table of Contents

Decode Your License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Decode Your License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2: Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Legality becomes iffy here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4: From this point on everythings definitely illegal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
 Author:Tetranitrate
I'm attending Polytechnic Institute of NYU.

Intro: Decode Your License

..................................................................................................................................................................................

Using a cool little program I dug up on the web, and a scanner I was able to decode the barcodes on the back of my NY drivers license, and find out what information
people get when they scan it. I'm pretty sure that just decoding the barcode is not illegal, but some of the other things I describe probably are, so let those be just proof of
concept.

All the times my license (well technically my permit, but its all the same) appears, I mess up the barcodes a bit so (hopefully) no one can get my information. Personally I
don't care, but theres probably some good reasons why I should not let it out so I'm just being safe.

Step 1: Materials
Most people probably have this stuff:

1. Scanner
2. License/Permit from any state ( I think there are a few states ids that do not work, but most should)
3. Swipe Barcode Program
4. A Hex converter (more on this later)
5. Photoshop or similar program
6. Optional 1d barcode decoder

File Downloads

swipebarcode.jar (85 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'swipebarcode.jar']

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
Step 2: Procedure
All of this is fairly straight forward.

1. Scan the back of your license / permit using a medium - high resolution. The resolution should be set so that the 2d barcode is about 2000 pixels long.
2. Open up the image in Photoshop and cut out the 2d barcode. The 2d barcode is the one on the bottom in the picture. Most states use the PDF-417 (Portable Data File,
with 17 modules each containing 4 bars and spaces, thus 417). Edit the barcode so that it is exactly 2000 or less pixels long because that is the maximum the program
will allow, and save it.
3. Open swipe toolkit pdf417 barcode reader, available to download in the last step, and load your barcode into it. Click decode image, and a window with all your
information should pop up. The picture shows the window that I got ( I removed thinks I should probably care about). As you can see, you can view the information
processed, in raw bytes, or in hex. An interesting thing to note is if your card contains your social security number, some states put it on and some states don't.

Step 3: Legality becomes iffy here

http://www.cyanosoft.com/download/index.htm

Cyansoft makes a pdf 417 barcode encoder, which you can use to modify the barcode.

If you select raw bytes(you can also select hex if you want to use a hex editor to edit the information) on how the decoded information is shown in the pdf 417 reader,
examine it and you should be able to pick out your information such as d.o.b, name, license number, etc. You can edit that information, copy the selection into cyansoft's
barcode encoder, and tweak it to look like the original barcode. Some of the settings you may need to change are the Error correction level, the number of columns and
rows, and the bar width. The overall purpose of tweaking the barcode is to get it to look and read the same before, just with the modified data.

To test out the modded barcode, export it as an image and run it through the decoder again, if it works great, if not just keep tweaking the settings in the encoder until it
looks exactly like the original. You now have your modded barcode, but what should you do with it?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
Step 4: From this point on everythings definitely illegal
Ive never tried these, so don't blame me if you screw up and ruin your license.

If you want to use the fake barcode you just make on your license, there are many possible ways to transfer it. The easiest is probably to erase the old barcode with some
acetone and paper towels, and when your sure its completely erased, carefully print directly onto the license. The only problem with this method is that you would need a
high density printer (thermal transfer or laser), and would have to be extremely careful that it printed in the right spot nice and cleanly.

Another method could be to clean off the old barcode with acetone, and then print out the new one on a transparency and affix it to your license. The problem with this
method are that it would be easy to tell its fake, unless done really carefully.

Remember if you are changing a piece of information that is on the front you have to change it on the license too. It doesn't matter if the id scans 21, if it says 18 on the
front they are not going to accept it.

(Note: Most licenses also have a 1d barcode on the back too. It contains much less information then the 2d barcode. To edit it you will need to find out what specific type
of barcode it is, there are many sites online with pictures of different barcodes that can help you. Then download a decoder for that type, and decipher the information
they give you, see if it matches up with your license number, dob, etc. Then change it and re encode it using a program for that type of barcode.)

Related Instructables

Spy tech -
Encode data in Decoder Practical Codes Poly-Alphabetic
2D on your T- Business Card - Cipher Machine
shirts, business QR Coded by Isshinryu Make a Google Programming :
Tool-bar button (Photos) by
cards and Secret Message twzoom how to detect
stickers ! by by lamedust by cheesywillie and read UTF-8
5Volt characters in
text strings ... by
chooseausername

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 70 comments

ncryder450 says: Mar 29, 2009. 4:23 PM REPLY

i understand how to decode the license and i have the pdf417 bar code maker, and i have the "raw bytes" do i put the raw bytes info in to the fixed code
value? and then tweak the size an wat not...becuase when i do that and then export it is not at all like the original

ybunnygurl says: Mar 27, 2009. 7:56 PM REPLY

if your dieing to know what the code is I can tell you. its a digital copy of your ID. I asked at target when I returned something and they scanned the bars(1D).
(I also tried the when i worked at a retail store and had to fill in information in to code boxes... and was shocked to find it worked with almost all of the
different states ID's , except for DC's... theirs gave me different stuff, just random numbers. the 2D is a digital image of the front and back of your card.

funni64 says: Mar 10, 2007. 3:41 AM REPLY

anybody know where to find a 1d/Code 39 barcode decoder?

PR22 says: Oct 7, 2008. 8:17 PM REPLY

I second this

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
 keastes says: Feb 27, 2009. 1:43 PM REPLY
http://sourceforge.net/projects/zebra/

when in doubt check sourcefourge

Brick-To-Face says: Nov 3, 2008. 10:39 AM REPLY

Seems like a waste for all that "[value type] = " stuff to be on there
They could probably save space by having a standard order of values. Then the could fit more fun stuff on there, like "Suspected member of known terrorist
group", or, "Kite enthusiast"

keastes says: Feb 27, 2009. 1:33 PM REPLY

>MODE:conspiracy_theorist< or they could just put an unique ID number and require you to "swipe your license to, say, buy food down @ your local
grocer and keep track of what you buy >end:mode_Change< welcome to America, God help us.

SolidSilver says: Feb 3, 2009. 9:01 AM REPLY

Just for kicks, I scanned my Maine license and ran it through pdf417decode 2.0 (a Linux package from SourceForge). There's pretty clearly some binary
data in the last field, but I don't know the format and there's no recognizable header. Any ideas how to decode it? I think it's a copy of the picture on the
license. Also, the Swipe decoder doesn't seem to recognize the Maine fields, as it doesn't show anything in the processed data view.

idiotjohn says: Apr 8, 2008. 3:13 AM REPLY

Excuse me, but what normal person owns a scanner?

ReCreate says: Dec 14, 2008. 8:10 PM REPLY

This(me) normal person

bikerbob2005 says: Aug 7, 2008. 8:29 PM REPLY

OMG i'm not normal mama lied
i got my cat for free in the mail years ago
http://www.cexx.org/cuecat.htm

themasterpyro says: May 31, 2008. 3:59 PM REPLY

I do, but I'm far from normal.

tigerboy says: May 1, 2008. 11:01 AM REPLY

not a barcode scanner,a printer,faxer,scanner kind

hjjhjhgjjh says: Oct 7, 2008. 1:53 PM REPLY

IDK Think That Program works???

TKDYBBS says: Oct 24, 2006. 12:21 AM REPLY

I worked staffing a company that was deploying the new barcode system to a southern state. I was given secure information about the barcodes. You are
correct that they do include printed information. However, the barcode also includes an encrypted image file of the photograph that is on the front of the
license. The biometrics firm used an existing 2d barcode to create this embedded image. When a picture is taken a biometric readout is created and
hypothetically any camera at a stop light, mall, airport or your seven-eleven could then be used as a capture device to help track known or suspected
criminals. The biometric firm had plans on selling decoders to hotels, stores, gas stations, etc. in an attempt to help reduce fraud. The companies would have
three choices of how to use the product. First it would simply display the decoded image on a screen for visual comparison. This would have been the
cheaper solution. The second solution would generate a revenue stream for the state. For a subscription fee the scan could then be sent, via vpn, to a state
computer for a triple check. In other words the state would provide a third database copy of the image for comparison to the printed front copy and the
decoded copy. It would also provide publicly available information to the company and automatically populate the companies data base with said information.
The third option was to combine option number two with a photo taken by the merchant using a web cam and then the image would be biometrically matched
with records on file with the state to provide a positive id. The second and the third options provide the state with a number of revenue streams. One from the
subscription service, another for the database access and database population and perhaps most importantly it would provide local, state, and federal law
enforcement with an ability track individuals with outstanding warrants. The cost of implementation has thus far been cost prohibitive and since 9/11 there
has been some fear of the system being misused for the identification of government operatives by terrorist cells within and outside of the United States.

pushybaby says: Jun 17, 2008. 12:56 AM REPLY

Hi, my name is Eugene, I wonder if you could help me. Do you know how much data is encoded on the barcode at the back of a drivers license? As far
as I know, it's a PDF-417 Symbology. The reason why I'm asking is that I have a Barcode Scanner that supports the PDF-417 Symbology. I designed
such barcode & managed to scan it, but when I scan the one on the drivers license it couldn't pick it up.Could you please help? I have a project to run
and I need some advises.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
 connielomill says: Aug 3, 2008. 7:39 PM REPLY
can you help me too . connie

Tetranitrate says: Oct 24, 2006. 9:34 AM REPLY

Yeah in the instructable I mention the possibility of a compressed image file in the 2d barcode, but I wasn't sure what states, if any, used it.

martyvonx says: Feb 25, 2007. 3:19 PM REPLY

I live in MD and I tried for a long time to get my barcode to decode in that program. I cleaned it up in Photoshop and everything, but it wouldn't work, then I
found this program:
http://www.intelcom.ru/download/decode/Decode417Demo.zip
It decoded it without even cropping.

connielomill says: Aug 3, 2008. 7:38 PM REPLY

can you help me change my license. Connie

chriskarnaze says: May 24, 2007. 4:25 PM REPLY

Can you recommend any pdf417 encoders that will work with that decoder? I have tried several but can't produce any barcodes that the decoder will
decode. It says "BarCode not found" with dimensions -1 x -1. The decoder will decode the bar code on my driver's license, so I'm not sure if the problem
is with the encoders I'm using or the way the barcode image is being prepared for the decoder. Thanks

easyrider1 says: Feb 4, 2008. 12:45 PM REPLY

i've been carded at grocery and liquor stores before that wanted my license,i told them they could look at it but not scan it because i didn't want my info in
their data base and if they had a problem with that i'll shop somewhere else. so far in all my years buying alcohol(i'm 52)nobody has turned me down and i
doubt they ever will. it's your license and your information,you decide what happens with it.and be very careful of big brother,those who give up freedom in
exchange for safety do not deserve nor will get either.

Full Frontal Graphic says: Mar 26, 2008. 12:02 AM REPLY

Aha,easyrider1, I believe I have deduced your identity. Are you perhaps the first swimming instructor in the United States, an inventor, and a publisher of
seditious literature?

yetiwisdom says: Jan 17, 2008. 6:48 AM REPLY

See also how to wipe your ID's magnetic stripe to protect your privacy , a follow-up to an article I wrote regarding the practice of some bars/restaurants
running ID's through mag cardreaders to gain entry - then dumping that data into a marketing database for junk-mail: I Am Not a Number, I Am a Free Man!

themasterpyro says: Nov 6, 2007. 5:30 PM REPLY

mine said "nosy little sucker aren't you?"

yetiwisdom says: Oct 17, 2007. 11:50 AM REPLY

Great post - thanks a lot. Like one of the other commenters I couldn't get the swipecode.jar to work but this program did work this program did work (and I
liked that it was install-free too).

Also, those of you that liked this post might want to check this out:
"I Am Not a Number — I Am a Free Man! I Am Not a Number — I Am a Free Man!� - about the scanning of ID's for the purpose of age verification
at bars.

sillymonkey says: Nov 14, 2006. 7:14 PM REPLY

I have done everything so far...But I cannot properly use BCDmaker to make a file that can be read by the decoder program. I first of all scanned my license,
then opened it up in paintbrush, and selected just the barcode. Then I re-pasted that into new paintbrush document and got rid of outside white edges. Then
I scanned it with the Java program that decodes. I got all my info (in the processed category). I then modified it all to what I wanted (dob change) and name
change just to see if this program works. Then I copied text and saved it in note pad. I then opened it in BCDmaker and did new template. I then did Various
Code Value: Then I imported that text file. It gave me a barcode which was similar to the one on my actual license. I then exported it into a picture file. I then
opened that in paintbrush and got rid of the excess white again and pasted it so the pic is just the barcode. When I ran it through scanner, it said it is
unrecognizable, and not a valid barcode. What do I need to do to modify this correctly? I have tried some different settings in the template manager, but I
don't know what to do. Any help would be great thanks

garrettmikesmith says: Jul 17, 2007. 1:03 AM REPLY

wow, i am having the same problem

Illusionistx says: Jun 11, 2007. 10:36 PM REPLY

it is the license holder's option whether or not their SSN and organ donorabiliity are added on the card this is a cool find though

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
 kd197 says: Mar 19, 2007. 9:35 PM REPLY
anyone know where can i get a good id? e-mail me at KyleDavis197@yahoo.com thanks

A.C.E. says: May 24, 2007. 3:49 PM REPLY

the kyle davis from new kent middle school?

CameronSS says: Mar 21, 2007. 11:28 PM REPLY

the DMV

pirateshockey411 says: Mar 22, 2007. 7:57 PM REPLY

arent you hilarious

CameronSS says: Mar 23, 2007. 10:04 AM REPLY

I try.

HOMEPIE64 says: May 17, 2007. 2:49 PM REPLY

i have a question i dont have a scanner would a camera work?

babygenius55 says: Mar 15, 2007. 5:06 PM REPLY

FFW 2 Hrs later, by trying different combinations of raw data and Hex where the strange symbols occur I was able to view about half of the "label" info that
was there and one or 2 instances of information that would vary on a person to person basis. I know there must be an easier way to do this, Does anyone
know about any special characters- raw or hex -that may be the hidden key?

LiveFastDieFun says: Apr 9, 2007. 9:09 PM REPLY

can some one please help me? You all seem to be a bit more advanced than me at decoding mag strips, but i also need help in that first process and
then on how get it recognizable in something like a mass communication database? And another thing where can you purchase mag strips? Thanks

babygenius55 says: Mar 15, 2007. 3:03 PM REPLY

I was wondering if anyone could help me out with; the decoding of, and/or the meaning to some of the encrypted readouts, from the 2d barcode pdf417 ? I
have nj DL as well and things like<9>, pop up at random. I assume it is part of the security feature, because when I replace the squares I get when using a
hex editor with them at random spots some information that even "Swipe" didn't decrypt shows up upon re rendering and analyzing. I just can't figure out the
pattern. In different spots of replacing square randomly- info pops up seemingly out of sequence, but when all are replaced then the info is a bunch of
jumble. I get <16>, and <10> also but the "<9>" makes them readable, at random. I am assuming the"<10>" is code for a break in the line. If anyone can give
me a direction I would greatly appreciate it.

notthebritishchildren says: Mar 5, 2007. 8:43 PM REPLY

Good Instructable, can't wait to try it! It's a pity you're not an organ donor, though.

pirateshockey411 says: Feb 27, 2007. 7:11 PM REPLY

i need help editing information, m not really sure what the seets should be. i have a new york license if someone could tell me what the demensions i need to
nter are that would be great

mrmath says: Oct 20, 2006. 6:43 AM REPLY

I live in NY, and my license looks just like that. I have never seen it scanned. Unless the police have scanners in their cars, I don't know what good it does
us. Has anyone out there ever seen their license, or anyone's license scanned?

andie13579 says: Nov 26, 2006. 1:02 PM REPLY

I've had my license scanned at Walmart when buying beer. Never really thought about what kind of info they were getting, but it's good to know it's
nothing too personal.

Tetranitrate says: Oct 20, 2006. 3:01 PM REPLY

Yes, the police have scanners in their car, they use them to save time instead of typing in all the information; however, the most common places
scanners are used is at bars, clubs, and liquor stores. The first thing most kids ask when buying a fake ID is "Is it scannable?". Ive heard arguments
debating who would go in the store and buy the hooch, and scannability was the big issue ex: "Well I look the oldest and my ID is chalked to say I'm 23,
but its not scannable" "Do you know if they scan here" "Yeah I think they do, so we should send in Jessica, she looks the youngest, but she has her
sisters ID which is scannable" 2 hours later "GESSHhikkkka, I mmmaay n0t telll you thissss eneeough, but ::hiccup:: I...I...I lllurrvvee youuu" "OHHh
youu, yerour jusss saYinggg that ::giggles:: ::burps:: ::pukes:: ::passes out:: ::farts:: Ahh, the sweet cherished memories of youth.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/
 mrmath says: Oct 20, 2006. 8:39 PM REPLY
No wonder I've never seen it happen. The police always are in their car, and I'm in mine. And the scanable licenses didn't come around until after I
was old enough, and looked old enough.

spinach_dip says: Oct 20, 2006. 6:33 PM REPLY

Even if you are 100% legal, don't you think it's kinda creepy that they are scanning and saving the data? Do they have a privacy policy or a data
retention policy, or do they consider that they just now own the information and can do with it as they please?

spinach_dip says: Oct 20, 2006. 6:57 PM REPLY

I'm talking about the liquor store retaining your data. Also, this barcode seems to be called a PDF417 barcode

Tetranitrate says: Oct 20, 2006. 7:01 PM REPLY

Yeah many stores keep and some even sell the information they get when they swipe the id, and I mentioned it was a PDF417 in the
instructable.

pushybaby says: Jun 17, 2008. 12:47 AM REPLY

Hi, my name is Eugene, I wonder if you could help me. Do you know how much data is encoded on the barcode at the back of a drivers
license? As far as I know, it's a PDF-417 Symbology. The reason why I'm asking is that I have a Barcode Scanner that supports the PDF-
417 Symbology. I designed such barcode & managed to scan it, but when I scan the one on the drivers license it couldn't pick it up.Could
you please help? I have a project to run and I need some advises.

spinach_dip says: Oct 21, 2006. 12:50 PM REPLY

I missed the ref for PDF417, I started googling for 2D barcodes. Anyway, if you get the reader software, here's a file you can download to
try it out:

http://www.barcodeman.com/faq/pdftwedum.gif

which came from this page here:

http://www.barcodeman.com/faq/2d.php

It's not from anyone's ID, so you will have to switch over to "show raw bytes", but at least you can give it a workout.

atomic16 says: Nov 13, 2006. 4:29 PM REPLY

anyone know how to decode the top barcode?

view all 70 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Decode-Your-License/